As he belted O Canada, a tear rolled down goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau’s cheek Friday night at the Saputo Stadium in Montreal.
Canada’s final World Cup friendly ended in a 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland before a crowd of more than 19,000, most clad in red and interrupted only by a small pocket of green-clad Irish fans.
Crépeau, originally from Montreal’s South Shore Candiac and now playing for Orlando City in the MLS, turned aside a penalty and made several significant interventions throughout, including what seemed like an assured goal from point-blank late in the second half.
A day earlier, the 32-year-old learned he would be Canada’s starting goalkeeper at the World Cup. Four years earlier, a broken leg had cost him a place at the tournament.
There had been debate over whether the job would go to Crépeau or Inter Miami’s Dayne St. Clair. For much of 2025, in fact, it appeared to be St. Clair’s spot to lose after the 29-year-old won MLS Goalkeeper of the Year honours with Minnesota United.
But Canada coach Jesse Marsch ended that debate Thursday by choosing Crépeau, citing his maturity and experience.
Montreal has long been obsessed with its goaltenders. This spring, as the Canadiens charged to the Eastern Conference final, Jakub Dobes’s remarkable play turned him into something of a cult hero in the city. One sports bar even rechristened itself “Dobes’s.”
Canada midfielder Ismaël Koné (8) and Republic of Ireland midfielder Killian Phillips (12) battle for the ball during the second half of a FIFA international friendly in Montreal on Friday, June 5, 2026. Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
Crépeau got his start at the Montreal Impact academy. He joined around 2010 before signing for the first team in 2013. And back then, he was also playing under another young coach: Jesse Marsch.
From 2015 to 2019, Crépeau had loans stints at CF Montreal and Ottawa Fury, and then eventually found a footing with the Vancouver Whitecaps. In 2022, he moved to Los Angeles FC and lifted the MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield as the starting goalkeeper. He then spent two seasons with the Portland Timbers. In 2026, he joined Orlando City, with an eye on claiming Canada’s No. 1 jersey for the world cup.
Before the game Friday, Crépeau said that he was going to “live a kid’s dream.”
Canada ultimately controlled much of the evening. The team pressed aggressively as usual, but also enjoyed about two-thirds of the possession. It also won duels all over the field and spent long stretches camped in Ireland’s half.
With the momentum, around the 24th minute, Los Angeles FC midfielder Stephen Eustáquio whipped in a corner and brought the breakthrough. It sparked chaos in the Irish penalty area. It hit one, then another, before hitting Everton defender Jake O’Brien and into his own net.
The match tilted toward Ireland in the second half, however.
Midway through, forward Cyle Larin, born and raised in Brampton, Ont. but whose mother is from Montreal, rashly clipped Jamie McGrath with a high boot inside Canada’s penalty area in a bad error by the Canadian. Referee Jérôme Brisard pointed to the spot, giving Ireland a route back into the match.
Forward Troy Parrott stepped up and curled it mid-height to Crépeau’s left. The Canadian goalkeeper guessed correctly. But unfortunately for Canada, Ireland’s Chiedozie Ogbene reacted quickest to the rebound and slammed home the equalizer.
Later in the half, a defensive breakdown released Spurs forward Mason Melia clean through on goal in the 83rd minute. One-on-one with Crépeau, Melia appeared poised to score.
Crépeau raced off his line and pulled off a sharp save that preserved the draw.
“What an incredible save,” Marsch said after the game. “We know we can count on Max.”
In the end, Marsch said he was pleased with the performance ahead of Canada’s opening World Cup game against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto on June 12.
“I thought we were very much in control of this match,” he said. “We just lacked a little bit of quality in the final actions, but I believe that will come. I know we’re going to get a million questions, but I’m going to be positive, guys.
“We were a little bit unlucky,” he added.
Canada forward Liam Millar (11) evades a tackle by Republic of Ireland defender Liam Scales (3) during the second half of a FIFA international friendly in Montreal on Friday, June 5, 2026. Evan Buhler / Montreal Gazette
One player of note who remained on the bench was Moïse Bombito, who grew up in St-Laurent. He left Monday’s win over Uzbekistan with discomfort in his surgically repaired left tibia but was confirmed fit for the game.
In Bombito’s absence, 20-year-old Luc de Fougerolles, who was born in London, England, but whose father is from Montreal, looked assured again alongside Derek Cornelius at centre back, giving Canada reason for optimism should Bombito require additional recovery time.
Marsch also praised the atmosphere at Saputo Stadium, saying the sea of red shirts and jerseys and the passionate support from the crowd created a memorable sendoff before the World Cup.
And Crépeau agreed.
“Chills, man. I had chills,” Crépeau said after the game on hearing O Canada before kickoff.
“This team is ready. We are ready to represent 41.5 million people. We don’t take that for granted.”
Do you have a World Cup story? Write to me at hnorth@postmedia.com
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